Anyone use these traps exclusively for nuisance muskrat trapping? Just wondering as due to our states laws we must use padded traps and I find them hard to work with on 'rats.

we have to use padded as well,,,,

I pad conventional traps myself

Vinke do use on offset jaw trap when installing pads?

Never seen a padded rat trap before any pic

My understanding is you only have to use padded jaw traps if on dry land. In the water, you can use any trap including collony traps. I will try to find the rules and double check.

Jim you are right....got a nuisance job where rats are giving me fits can't locate den as the water is green slime and pets, kids, geese every where. Just want to play it safe.

Don't know anything about Illinois regs but I thought it funny how things change from state to state.

Here in North Carolina, if the jaw spread is more than 5 1/2 inches, padded jaws are not legal because of the way our regulations are written. There is a lot in the wording of a law and ours states that any trap set on dry land with a jaw spread of more than 5 1/2 inches MUST have a closed jaw offset of at least 3/16 of an inch. But when a padded jaw trap is closed, there is no offset.

I showed this regulation flaw to two different game wardens and they both told me "You're right. The way it's written they are not legal, but.... I'm not gonna write you up for it."

Around here, ANY foot hold trap with jaw spread of 7 1/2 inches or less is fine on a drowning slide or quick drown set up. More than 7 1/2 inches is not legal in any circumstance. And, the way I read it, ALL of our water sets are to be completely submerged. That's colony traps, foot holds, conibear and all.

I did not use offsets,,,,

rat trapping will get easier very soon

Might be able to stake out the pond late in the day and watch to see where they come out from . Then just feel around with your feet to find the den holes

Pesky I have done that already...disguised as a fisherman...still couldn't locate den hole at night using feet. Pond has gravel banks and bottom...about lost it trying to feel around. There are several old dens above the old waterline...not active. #$@%^$ making me look bad. lol

It might be time to break out with the float docks.

I've got some that I built myself that will hold two Duke #1's. The traps are placed on the low sides of the trap, just under water. When the come up to get the bait on top they swim around to the low sides to climb up on the float going for the bait and of course, that's where the trap is. The weight of the trap holds them under water.

Place your bait on the top, out of the water and give it a shot. What have you got to loose?

How big is the pond . Might be able to pump it way down then lay fence down so they can't dig into the banks anymore . I know what your saying when the people have all them rocks around the pound makes it really hard to find the den . Then they have these pet ducks . Might be able set something just above the leg holds so the geese can't get to them but the rats still can . Float sets would work if there away from the shore line but he's facing the goose problem . Can't take a chance at catching the family goose . Kids would be upset and mom yikes she's not going to be happy . Even at night with this 3/4 moon the geese are still going to be active

Thanks guys for your responses....you guys have obviously been there done that before. Can't do any of those things as the kids run their motorized toy boats and I've got every EYE on me whenever I show up. Been doing the night shift on this job... might have to resort to just going for it and throwing a few foothold sets out and making the early am trip back for a few mornings. Have used floats in the past while fur trapping and it seems like it takes time for the rats to adjust to them.

Just grab some rat droppings and put it on the float with some weeds or what ever there eating . Muskrat jobs are not always easy . I've caught tens of thousands fur trapping . I've ran into jobs just like your talking and with all the people ,kids, geese, toy boats , ducks, ect added in it causes problem . I would just relax and tell them people the problems and explane why it's not easy . I would much rather it take longer than cause some major problem . There could be new rats moving into the pond from a dryed up creek or lake or something nere by as well . Might never get them all if they just keep coming . I know it's dry out in IL . never used drift fence on a muskrat job before but I'm sure it might work on some

Thanks Pesky...good advice. A guy COULD let this job get under his skin...lol

Wow.... With all that going on i this pond I might explain to the customer how exspensive it's gonna get and just see how bad he wants them gone.

I get irritated with people who want to pick and choose what wildlife they have around them. They love to see the dukes and geese and maybe a deer or two but when the fox shows up or they see a muskrat they go nuts. You're either going to live with wildlife or you ain't!

Yeah.... Tell him how much money he's about to spend, give no guarantees and see how bad he really wants them gone.

Woops.... Double post. Sorry.

Good post Muddawg...most still are in the dark of what is involved with attempting to solve wildlife issues. UPDATE...muskrat problem was taken care of this am...caught 2 in lured footholds.

I know how upset you younger guys get with people who haven't got a clue! Can you imagine how much trouble us older guys had explaining the the differences between the herb eating and flesh eating dinosaurs? My son was the perfect guy for this business. Since he was an athlete, instead of an outdoorsman, he treats every moron the same; and they love him!